Fungi are an understudied, biotechnologically valuable group of organisms. Due to 
the immense range of habitats that fungi inhabit, and the consequent need to compete against a diverse array of other fungi, bacteria, and animals, fungi have developed numerous survival mechanisms. The unique attributes of fungi thus herald great promise for their application in biotechnology and industry. Moreover, fungi can be grown with relative ease, making production at scale viable. The search for fungal biodiversity, and the construction of a living fungi collection, both have incredible economic potential in locating organisms with novel industrial uses that will lead to novel products. This manuscript reviews fifty ways in which fungi can potentially be utilized as biotechnology. We provide notes and examples for each potential exploitation and give examples from our own work and the work of other notable researchers. We also provide a flow chart that can be used to convince funding bodies of the importance of fungi for biotechnological research and as potential products. Fungi have provided the world with penicillin, lovastatin, and other globally significant medicines, and they remain an untapped resource with enormous industrial potential.

The amazing potential of fungi: 50 ways we can exploit fungi industrially

Research on the mechanisms employed by the biocontrol agent Trichoderma virens to suppress cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seedling disease incited by Rhizoctonia solani has shown that mycoparasitism and antibiotic production are not major contributors to successful biological control. In this study, we examined the possibility that seed treatment with T. virens stimulates defense responses, as indicated by the synthesis of terpenoids in cotton roots. We also examined the role of these terpenoid compounds in disease control. Analysis of extracts of cotton roots and hypocotyls grown from T. virens-treated seed showed that terpenoid synthesis and peroxidase activity were increased in the roots of treated plants, but not in the hypocotyls of these plants or in the untreated controls. Bioassay of the terpenoids for toxicity to R. solani showed that the pathway intermediates desoxyhemigossypol (dHG) and hemigossypol (HG) were strongly inhibitory to the pathogen, while the final product gossypol (G) was toxic only at a much higher concentration. Strains of T. virens and T. koningii were much more resistant to HG than was R. solani, and they thoroughly colonized the cotton roots. A comparison of biocontrol efficacy and induction of terpenoid synthesis in cotton roots by strains of T. virens, T. koningii, T. harzianum, and protoplast fusants indicated that there was a strong correlation (+0.89) between these two phenomena. It, therefore, appears that induction of defense response, particularly terpenoid synthesis, in cotton roots by T. virens may be an important mechanism in the biological control by this fungus of R. solani-incited cotton seedling disease.

Induction of terpenoid synthesis in cotton roots and control of Rhizoctonia solani by seed treatment with Trichoderma virens. [Erratum: 2003 Dec., v. 93, no. 12, p. 1606.]

The plant-Trichoderma-pathogen triangle is a complicated web of numerous processes Trichoderma spp are avirulent opportunistic plant symbionts In addition to being successful plant symbiotic organisms, Trichoderma spp also behave as a low cost, effective and ecofriendly biocontrol agent They can set themselves up in various patho-systems, have minimal impact on the soil equilibrium and do not impair useful organisms that contribute to the control of pathogens This symbiotic association in plants leads to the acquisition of plant resistance to pathogens, improves developmental processes and yields and promotes absorption of nutrient and fertilizer use efficiency Among other biocontrol mechanisms, antibiosis, competition and mycoparasitism are among the main features through which microorganisms, including Thrichoderma, react to the presence of other competitive pathogenic organisms, thereby preventing or obstructing their development Stimulation of every process involves the biosynthesis of targeted metabolites like plant growth regulators, enzymes, siderophores, antibiotics, etc This review summarizes the biological control activity exerted by Trichoderma spp and sheds light on the recent progress in pinpointing the ecological significance of Trichoderma at the biochemical and molecular level in the rhizosphere as well as the benefits of symbiosis to the plant host in terms of physiological and biochemical mechanisms From an applicative point of view, the evidence provided herein strongly supports the possibility to use Trichoderma as a safe, ecofriendly and effective biocontrol agent for different crop species

https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/9/6/762/pdf

Trichoderma: The “Secrets” of a Multitalented Biocontrol Agent

Soil salinity is a serious problem worldwide that reduces agricultural productivity. Trichoderma longibrachiatum T6 (T6) has been shown to promote wheat growth and induce plant resistance to parasitic nematodes, but whether the plant-growth-promoting fungi T6 can enhance plant tolerance to salt stress is unknown. Here we determined the effect of plant-growth-promoting fungi T6 on wheat seedlings’ growth and development under salt stress, and investigated the role of T6 in inducing the resistance to NaCl stress at physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. Wheat seedlings were inoculated with the strain of T6 and then compared with non-inoculated controls. Shoot height, root length, and shoot and root weights were measured on 15 days old wheat seedlings grown either under 150 mM NaCl or in a controlled setting without any NaCl. A number of colonies were re-isolated from the roots of wheat seedlings under salt stress. The relative water content in the leaves and roots, chlorophyll content, and root activity were significantly increased, and the accumulation of proline content in leaves was markedly accelerated with the plant growth parameters, but the content of leaf malondialdehyde (MDA) under saline condition was significantly decreased. The antioxidant enzymes-superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in wheat seedlings were increased by 29%, 39% and 19%, respectively, with the application of the strain of T6 under salt stress; the relative expression of SOD, POD and CAT genes in these wheat seedlings were significantly up-regulated. Our results indicated that the strain of T6 ameliorated the adverse effects significantly, protecting the seedlings from salt stress during their growth period. The possible mechanisms by which T6 suppresses the negative effect of NaCl stress on wheat seedling growth may be due to the improvement of the antioxidative defense system and gene expression in the stressed wheat plants.

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Application of Plant-Growth-Promoting Fungi Trichoderma longibrachiatum T6 Enhances Tolerance of Wheat to Salt Stress through Improvement of Antioxidative Defense System and Gene Expression.

Plant-parasitic-nematodes represent a major threat to the agricultural production of different crops worldwide. Due to the high toxicity of chemical nematicides, it is necessary to develop new control strategies against nematodes. In this respect, filamentous fungi can be an interesting biocontrol alternative. The genus Trichoderma, mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi are the main groups of filamentous fungi studied and used as biological control agents (BCAs) against nematodes as resistance inducers. They are able to reduce the damage caused by plant-parasitic nematodes directly by parasitism, antibiosis, paralysis and by the production of lytic enzymes. But they also minimize harm by space and resource-competition, by providing higher nutrient and water uptake to the plant, or by modifying the root morphology, and/or rhizosphere interactions, that constitutes an advantage for the plant-growth. Besides, filamentous fungi are able to induce resistance against nematodes by activating hormone-mediated (salicylic and jasmonic acid, strigolactones among others) plant-defense mechanisms. Additionally, the alteration of the transport of chemical defense components through the plant or the synthesis of plant secondary metabolites and different enzymes can also contribute to enhancing plant defenses. Therefore, the use of filamentous fungi of the mentioned groups as BCAs is a promising durable biocontrol strategy in agriculture against plant-parasitic nematodes.

/pdf/biological-control-of-plant-parasitic-nematodes-by-1xpouoq6uz.pdf

Biological Control of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes by Filamentous Fungi Inducers of Resistance: Trichoderma, Mycorrhizal and Endophytic Fungi.

The parasitic and lethal effects of Trichoderma longibrachiatum against Heterodera avenae

Biocontrol potential of a native species of Trichoderma longibrachiatum against Meloidogyne incognita

Trichoderma longibrachiatum can be used for the control of Heterodera avenae in crops, but the effectiveness and possible mechanisms are unknown. Here we determined the efficacy and the mechanism responsible for the nematode control in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Wheat seedlings inoculated with T. longibrachiatum at the concentrations from 1.5 × 104 to 1.5 × 108 spores ml−1 significantly increased plant height, root length, and plant biomass; decreased H. avenae infection in both rhizospheric soil and roots; and enhanced chlorophyll content, root activity, and the specific activities of resistance-related enzymes (peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase), compared to the control. Those reactions occurred soon after T. longibrachiatum inoculation and the effect reached the maximum 7–9 days after inoculation. Promoting competitive plant growth and inducing enzyme-trigged resistance serve as the main mechanism responsible for T. longibrachiatum against H. avenae. T. longibrachiatum can be considered an effective biocontrol agent against H. avenae in wheat.

Efficacy of Trichoderma longibrachiatum in the control of Heterodera avenae

Oats (Avena sativa L.) are a widely consumed functional cereal grain worldwide and have recently gained increasing attention due to their numerous health benefits. Oats are an excellent natural source of bioactive compounds, including β-glucan, and have broad application prospects for the development of functional foods or health products to prevent and treat of diabetes. In this review, oat bioactive compounds, including proteins, peptides, amino acids, β-glucans, resistant starch, dietary fibers, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, avenanthramides, oat saponins, and β-sitosterol are summarized, and their important biological functions are discussed, focusing on the relevant mechanisms of action. Due to their various bioactive ingredients, oats exhibit antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, immunomodulatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, and cardioprotective properties. 

Bingliang Xu

Papers

Application of Plant-Growth-Promoting Fungi Trichoderma longibrachiatum T6 Enhances Tolerance of Wheat to Salt Stress through Improvement of Antioxidative Defense System and Gene Expression.

The parasitic and lethal effects of Trichoderma longibrachiatum against Heterodera avenae

Biocontrol potential of a native species of Trichoderma longibrachiatum against Meloidogyne incognita

Efficacy of Trichoderma longibrachiatum in the control of Heterodera avenae

Bioactive Components and Health Functions of Oat